Self loading-unloading container train and power control unit

Abstract

This invention covers self loading-unloading of containers or pallets in a lateral motion, avoiding lifting, applying particularly to rail cars, trucks, and fixed platforms. The railway embodiment includes a central power control unit, unique platform cars with gripper-equipped arms, and scanning devices for monitoring operation plus reading indicia on the containers. The crew in the power control unit, which includes a novel driving arrangement, operates the train and the on-off loading equipment, either manually or automatically, remotely. By integration with similarly equipped trucks, freight handling can be fast, shock-free, door-to-door, and superior to existing modes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A railway train for rapid automatic loading and unloading of at least one cargo container, comprising: at least one bi-directional power control unit for providing motive power to and coordinating the cargo container loading and unloading operations of the railway train;   at least one platform car operatively coupled to said control unit, said platform car defining a generally planar upper surface for accommodating said cargo container;   at least one extensible arm assembly attached to said platform car and including at least two clamp members connected thereto which are releasably engagable to opposed sides of said cargo container; and   a drive motor electrically interfaced to said control unit and coupled to said arm assembly for facilitating the extension and retraction thereof, said arm assembly being selectively retractable for purposes of drawing said cargo container laterally onto said upper surface, and extensible for purposes of dispensing said cargo container laterally from said upper surface.   
     
     
       2. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said platform car defines a rectangular platform surface including a pair of longitudinally opposed side edges and wherein said at least one extensible arm assembly may be extended or retracted laterally relative to either of said side edges. 
     
     
       3. The railway train of claim 1 further comprising at least one end cab operatively coupled to said platform car, said end cab including an on-board camera in electrical communication with said control unit for relaying visual images to said control unit. 
     
     
       4. The railway train of claim 3 wherein said train includes a pair of platform cars operatively coupled to opposed ends of the power control unit which is centrally positioned therebetween, each of said platform cars having an end cab operatively coupled to the end thereof opposite that coupled to the control unit. 
     
     
       5. The railway train of claim 4 wherein said platform cars are operatively coupled to said control unit and said end cabs via slackless couplers. 
     
     
       6. The railway train of claim 3 wherein said train comprises a plurality of platform cars operatively coupled to each of the opposed ends of said control unit, each of the two distal-most platform cars having an end cab operatively coupled thereto. 
     
     
       7. The railway train of claim 5 wherein said platform cars are operatively coupled to said control unit, said end cabs and each other via slackless couplers. 
     
     
       8. The railway train of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said platform car includes rollers for aiding in the lateral loading of said cargo container thereonto, and lateral unloading of said cargo container therefrom. 
     
     
       9. The railway train of claim 8 wherein said rollers comprise non-swivel castors. 
     
     
       10. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said at least one cargo container includes an identification placard disposed thereon, and said platform car includes at least one visual scanning device in electrical communication with said control unit for relaying data from said identification placard to said control unit when the cargo container is loaded onto the upper surface. 
     
     
       11. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said platform car includes at least one camera in electrical communication with said control unit for relaying to the control unit visual images of activity associated with the automatic loading and unloading of the cargo container onto and from the platform car. 
     
     
       12. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said cargo container includes a first electrical connector and said platform car includes a second electrical connector which is adapted to be releasably couplable to said first electrical connector when said cargo container is positioned upon the upper surface of said platform car. 
     
     
       13. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said platform car includes an adjustable suspension system in electrical communication with said control unit for selectively adjusting the elevation of the upper surface relative to an adjacent loading/unloading platform. 
     
     
       14. The railway train of claim 13 wherein said platform car includes at least one sensor in electrical communication with said control unit in order to manipulate the suspension system to facilitate leveling, vertical adjustment and horizontal alignment of the upper surface of the platform car with the adjacent loading/unloading platform. 
     
     
       15. The railway train of claim 14 wherein said suspension system is further adapted to selectively adjust the longitudinal positioning of the upper surface, and said at least one sensor is further adapted to facilitate the adjustment of the suspension system in a manner longitudinally aligning the upper surface of the platform car with the adjacent loading/unloading platform. 
     
     
       16. The railway train of claim 15 wherein said control unit includes an on-board programmable microprocessor in electrical communication with said adjustable suspension system, sensor and extensible arm assembly for coordinating the cargo container loading and unloading operations of the railway train. 
     
     
       17. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said platform car further comprises cargo container anchors disposed on the upper surface thereof for releasably securing the cargo container to the upper surface during transport. 
     
     
       18. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said control unit includes a dual drive train for providing redundancy in the event of an individual drive train failure and increasing tractive effort. 
     
     
       19. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said bi-directional power control unit includes a unique drive train consisting of: an engine operatively interconnected to a hydraulic torque converter, said hydraulic torque converter being interconnected to a hydraulic retarder, said hydraulic retarder being interconnected to a multi-speed power shifting automatic transmission, said transmission being interconnected to a power shifter, said power shifter being interconnected to a forward-reverse gearbox, said gearbox being interconnected to a first angle drive, said first angle drive being interconnected to a driven shaft equipped with sliding joints and universal joints, said sliding and universal joints being interconnected to a second angle drive, and said second angle drive being interconnected to a final drive gearing which is operatively coupled to an axle shaft having wheels attached thereto.   
     
     
       20. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said control unit includes a pair of engine-driven generators to provide required electrical power for operation of the railway train. 
     
     
       21. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said control unit further comprises a heavy-duty starter motor for propelling the train a short distance in a controlled manner. 
     
     
       22. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said control unit includes an on-board recording device for documenting the train's movement, the loading and unloading sequences of cargo containers and the tracking of cargo containers to facilitate the billing of customers. 
     
     
       23. The railway train claim 1 further comprising: an adjacent horizontal support platform having a generally planar surface incorporating rollers for a facilitating lateral movement of cargo containers;   locking device having a locked and unlocked position wherein the locked position restrains cargo container movement and is responsive to unlocking when interfaced with the extensible arm of a platform car; and   an electrical connector incorporated into the support platform surface for mating with electrical connectors of a cargo container when the cargo container is in a locked position upon the support platform surface to supply electrical power to the cargo container.   
     
     
       24. The railway train of claim 23 wherein said adjacent horizontal support platform is supported by a truck. 
     
     
       25. The railway train of claim 23 wherein said adjacent horizontal support platform is supported by a railway car. 
     
     
       26. The railway train of claim 23 wherein said adjacent horizontal support platform is supported by a stationary support structure. 
     
     
       27. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said bi-directional power control unit includes a dual drive train for use as either a redundant system or for doubling tractive effort. 
     
     
       28. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said bi-directional power control unit includes at least one separate engine-driven generator to provide required electrical power to the railway train. 
     
     
       29. The railway train of claim 1 wherein said power control unit further comprises a heavy duty starter motor capable of moving the train a short distance in a controlled manner for purposes of aligning the platform car for loading and unloading of cargo. 
     
     
       30. The railway train of claim 1 wherein the bi-directional power control unit further includes a means for remote control of the loading and unloading of cargo containers to and from the platform car. 
     
     
       31. The railway train of claim 1 further comprising a train braking system including: a power control unit braking system comprising a parking brake component for use when the train is at rest and a retard brake component when the train is in motion; and an air braking system.   
     
     
       32. The railway train of claim 1 further comprising a train braking system including: an air braking system;   a retard braking system comprising: hydraulic retarders; and   engine exhaust restricters;     a parking braking system comprising: clutches; and   friction brakes.     
     
     
       33. The railway train of claim 32 wherein said friction brake may be applied manually. 
     
     
       34. The railway train of claim 32 wherein said parking brake system additionally includes a parking lock mechanism which is activated by spring applied clutches in a forward-reverse gearbox.